Jalebi is a fried sweet made from maida (wheat flour), commonly prepared in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Jalebi is thought to have originated in the northern India, most likely in the Punjab region. It is made by deep-frying batter in a pretzel shape, instead of the funnel cake shape common in the U.S., then soaked in syrup.
Jalebis are bright orange or yellow in colour, but are also available in white.
It can be served warm or cold. It has a somewhat chewy texture with a crystallized sugary exterior coating. The sugars get partly fermented which adds flavor to the dish.
Jalebi is one of the most popular sweets in India and is served as the Celebration Sweet of India especially during the national holidays like Independence Day and Republic Day in the government offices, defence and other organisations.
Jalebi is similar to the sweet referred to as "Zangoola", popular in the middle east. The Persian word for Jalebi is "zoolbiah," while it is called "jeri" in Nepal, derived from jangiri, and the Mogul Emperor Jahangir.
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